Barbara Joan Raco

Barbara was born on July 20, 1938 and went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, August 31, 2025, joining her beloved husband, Fred.

Barbara was born in Morrill, Nebraska, to Harry and Esther Sinner. Barbara grew up on Clovis Avenue in Fowler, California, and attended Fowler Unified Schools, graduating from Fowler High School with the Class of 1956. It was there that she met her high school sweetheart, Fred Raco. They married in 1961 and began their life together, first living with Fred's parents while their home was being built on the Raco Ranch.

Barbara's first job was with Pacific Finance in downtown Fresno. She soon joined Fred at Saylor Realty then Raco-Smith Realty and for more than 40 plus years they worked side by side running a successful real estate business in Fresno, California. They were married for 62 years and had two daughters, Lisa and Kristi and three grandchildren. Family was always her priority, and over the years she and Fred enjoyed raising their family, rodeoing, running racehorses, hosting ropings in their arena, raising longhorn cattle, and taking vacations with family and friends. She especially cherished her time with her grandchildren and watching them grow, she built a life filled with love, family, faith, and hard work.

Barbara was preceded in death by, her husband Fred Raco (2023); her parents Harry and Esther Sinner; her brother Robert Sinner; sister in-laws Marlene Sinner, Marguerite Vucovich, Rosa Sargenti, Kay Pulliam, Phyliss Bennett, Mildred Raco, Marjorie Raco, and her brother in-laws Edwin Thomsen, Joseph Gibson, James Raco, Don Raco, Tony Raco, Samuiel Vucovich, Romeo Sargenti, Lloyd Pulliam.

Barbara is survived by, her daughter Lisa Raco Padgett and her son-in-law Bill Padgett; her daughter Kristi Raco; her adoring grandchildren Alexis (Lexi) and Cole Padgett and Cord Raco; her sister Helen Thomsen; her sister Luella Gibson; her sister-in-law Lois Raco; and several nieces, nephews, and extended family who will cherish her memory.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Barbara's care team for the love, support, and kindness shown to her in recent years.

Interment will be held at Belmont Memorial Park, 201 N. Teliman Ave. Fresno, CA 93706. Friday, October 3, at 10:30am. All are welcome to join the family for a luncheon immediately following the service.